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Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · 21d

theasanforum.org/middle-east-...

This article first reviews the reactions of the Russian, Chinese, and Indian governments. The next section evaluates the reasons for their modest response. The final section considers potential future developments.

Middle East Crises Highlight Constrained Russia-China-India Cooperation - The Asan Forum

Middle East Crises Highlight Constrained Russia-China-India Cooperation Richard Weitz, Hudson Institute1 The Middle East has experienced waves of conflicts since the Hamas terrorist organization attac...

theasanforum.org

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · 22d

For additional analysis please see: www.hudson.org/security-all...

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Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Aug 15

My analysis of the Trump-Putin summit: eagleintelreports.com/alaska-summi...

"Rather than a watershed moment in the Ukraine war and in US policy towards Russia, we should see the summit as contributing to a dynamic process that could eventually lead to a range of possible outcomes. "

Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: Shaping War and Peace

At the end of last week, the diplomatic world was shocked to learn of a potential breakthrough regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war.

eagleintelreports.com

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Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Aug 9

Explaining China’s Reactive Response to the Iran War - Richard Weitz - CHINA US Focus www.chinausfocus.com/peace-securi...

Explaining China’s Reactive Response to the Iran War

China declined an opportunity to join Iran in its June 2025 confrontation with the United States and Israel. Though Beijing enjoys good relations with the Iranian regime, competing alignments and othe...

www.chinausfocus.com

Outrider Foundation @outrider.org · Jul 28

Journalists: Please join us at the @outrider.org Nuclear Reporting Summit on October 9-10!

This free, two-day event will focus on how #nuclearweapons issues intersect with AI, community health, #climatechange, local economies, and the #environment.

🔗 APPLY NOW: outrider.org/conference/2...

2025 Outrider Nuclear Reporting Summit

This fall, in a former nuclear missile silo, we'll convene journalists at the nexus of health, climate, artificial intelligence, outer space, and national security to discuss how these issues are inte...

outrider.org

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Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways (cont.):
• A peace deal with Ukraine could allow Russia to devote more security resources to Central Asia while reducing Kazakhstan’s and Uzbekistan’s importance to sanctions circumvention.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways (cont.):
• Western sanctions have spurred Chinese, Kazakhstani, and Uzbekistani efforts to construct alternative transportation routes and pursue foreign markets outside Russian territory.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways (cont.):
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways (cont.):
• Western sanctions have spurred Chinese, Kazakhstani, and Uzbekistani efforts to construct alternative transportation routes and pursue foreign markets outside Russian territory.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways (cont.):
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways: (cont.)
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways (cont.):
• Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have constrained their security cooperation with Russia, but their economic ties with Russia and China have strengthened substantially.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways: (cont.)
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways: (cont.)
• China has pursued a less assertive stance toward potential territorial conflicts in Central Asia than in other regions.
• The transformation of Eurasian energy markets promotes Sino-Russian cooperation and provides Moscow and Beijing with additional leverage over Central Asia.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Our fourth RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Takeaways
• Central Asia has been a bellwether of the Sino-Russian relationship.
• Russia accounts for almost all of Kazakhstan’s imported weapons systems, while Uzbekistan buys most of its imported arms from Russia.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Our fourth RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary

View PDF Executive Summary

www.hudson.org

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 21

Our fourth RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Central Asia: Preliminary Summary

View PDF Executive Summary

www.hudson.org

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Takeaways (cont.)
• Despite differences regarding the SCO and the organization’s declining relative importance to Russia and China, the two countries have sustained a robust security partnership within the organization and in Central Asia.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Takeaways (cont.)
• Participating in SCO exercises provided the Chinese military with some of its first opportunities to rehearse power projection capabilities.
• The SCO has ceased holding its large Peace Mission series of exercises; other drills occur but less regularly.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Takeaways
• Though not a mutual defense alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains the most important multilateral security structure in Central Asia that includes both Russia and China.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Takeaways (cont.)
• Participating in SCO exercises provided the Chinese military with some of its first opportunities to rehearse power projection capabilities.
• The SCO has ceased holding its large Peace Mission series of exercises; other drills occur but less regularly.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Takeaways
• Though not a mutual defense alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains the most important multilateral security structure in Central Asia that includes both Russia and China.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Our third RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Takeaways
• Though not a mutual defense alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains the most important multilateral security structure in Central Asia that includes both Russia and China.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Our third RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

View PDF Takeaways

www.hudson.org

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 18

Our third RSI-funded report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

View PDF Takeaways

www.hudson.org

The New York Times @nytimes.com · Jul 15

At the very beginning of their professional lives, some young people have had their summer internships derailed by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Collateral Damage in Federal Work Force Cuts: Summer Interns

www.nytimes.com

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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · Jul 15

Scientists have released the closest images ever taken near the sun, captured by NASA’s Parker Solar Probe flying 3.8 million miles above the solar surface.

See more images of solar eruptions on the sun: wapo.st/3Irm3P3

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Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Takeaways (cont)
• The new BRICS Plus format could provide another multilateral structure for deepening collaboration among Russia, China, and Uzbekistan.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Takeaways (cont)
• Uzbekistan is becoming a linchpin for Russia’s and China’s separate regional integration projects, which have not yet caused significant Sino-Russian friction.
• Uzbekistan could seek additional Russian and Chinese assistance to manage potential threats from Afghanistan.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Takeaways
• Russian-Uzbekistani defense ties have grown substantially during the past decade, while Uzbekistan’s military relations with China remain modest.
• Russia, China, and Uzbekistan cooperate best on counterterrorism, transportation, and energy issues.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Takeaways (cont)
• Uzbekistan is becoming a linchpin for Russia’s and China’s separate regional integration projects, which have not yet caused significant Sino-Russian friction.
• Uzbekistan could seek additional Russian and Chinese assistance to manage potential threats from Afghanistan.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Takeaways
• Russian-Uzbekistani defense ties have grown substantially during the past decade, while Uzbekistan’s military relations with China remain modest.
• Russia, China, and Uzbekistan cooperate best on counterterrorism, transportation, and energy issues.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Our second report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Uzbekistan,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Takeaways
• Russian-Uzbekistani defense ties have grown substantially during the past decade, while Uzbekistan’s military relations with China remain modest.
• Russia, China, and Uzbekistan cooperate best on counterterrorism, transportation, and energy issues.

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Our second report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Uzbekistan,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Uzbekistan

View PDF Takeaways

www.hudson.org

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 14

Our second report on Russian-Chinese relations in Central Asia, “Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Uzbekistan,” has been published at www.hudson.org/security-all...

Sino-Russian Interactions Regarding Uzbekistan

View PDF Takeaways

www.hudson.org

Richard Weitz @richardweitzdc.bsky.social · Jul 12

My analysis of "China, Russia, and the Israel-Iran War: Cracks in the Axis?," is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3aF...

China, Russia, and the Israel-Iran War: Cracks in the Axis?

YouTube video by Wikistrat

www.youtube.com

Hans Kristensen @nukestrat.bsky.social · Jun 16

I am honored to contribute with @mattkorda.bsky.social the chapter on world nuclear forces in the 2025 SIPRI Yearbook that went public today: www.sipri.org/media/press-... A PDF of the chapter is here: www.sipri.org/sites/defaul... @sipri.org

Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms—new SIPRI Yearbook out now

(Stockholm, 16 June 2025) The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) today launches its annual assessment of the state of armaments, disarmament and international security. Key findi...

www.sipri.org

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Dr. Jacquelyn Schneider @jackieschneider.bsky.social · Jun 5

Mine and Julia Macdonald's new podcast on autonomy--from mines to missiles to drones--is now available! Follow the people behind America's unmanned arsenal from the revolutionary war to Afghanistan, Ukraine, and looking to the future.
www.hoover.org/research/epi...

Episode 1: The Hand Behind Unmanned – America’s Quest For Autonomous War

What are unmanned weapons and where did America’s quest for autonomy begin?

www.hoover.org

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Hans Kristensen @nukestrat.bsky.social · Jun 1

Audacious Ukrainian drone attack on Russian bomber bases. Several Tu-95 strategic and Tu-22 regional bombers destroyed or damaged. Both types are dual-capable and have been used to bomb Ukraine for years. Illustrates extraordinary vulnerability of bombers. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Ukraine launches major drone attack on Russian bombers, security official says

Reported strikes on four airbases in Siberia mark escalation in cross-border incursions before planned peace talks

www.theguardian.com

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Karl Friedhoff @kfriedhoff.bsky.social · May 28

We're now within the 7-day moratorium on new public opinion polls ahead of the ROK presidential election. The last weekly poll from Gallup Korea has Lee (45%) with a clear lead over Kim (36%) and Lee June-seok (10%).

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CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues @poni.csis.org · May 21

Don't miss the deadline to apply to PONI's Mid-Career Cadre! Participants advance their technical, policy and leadership skills in the nuclear field through a variety of professional development programming.

Applications close in two weeks on June 2nd.

Mid-Career Cadre - Nuclear Network

The Mid-Career Cadre is a select group of nuclear professionals that have been in the field for 7 or more years and demonstrate promise for moving into leadership positions or bringing new ideas and…

nuclearnetwork.csis.org

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Hans Kristensen @nukestrat.bsky.social · May 13

Our new FAS Nuclear Notebook on Russian nuclear forces is now available. We estimate a stockpile of just over 4,300 warheads, modernizations, but also delays. Earlier STRATCOM projection of significant increase in tac nukes has not yet materialized. www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10....

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Nikkei Asia (Official) @asia.nikkei.com · May 12

South Korea election campaigning begins: Who are the two major candidates looking to lead the country out of its monthslong political crisis and revive the economy?

Current poll support:
52.1% -- opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung
31.1% -- ruling candidate Kim Moon-soo
s.nikkei.com/3GQZq5N

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International Affairs @iajournal.bsky.social · May 9

Joseph S. Nye, Jr., one of the foremost scholars of International Relations, passed away this week.

In his honour, here is a compilation of his writings for our journal over the years and a lecture he delivered at @chathamhouse.org in 2010. 🧵👇

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